Widely used as a reducing agent in chemical synthesis, particularly in the production of other tin compounds and in electroless plating processes. It serves as a catalyst in the manufacturing of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer used in plastics and textiles. Commonly employed in the textile industry for dyeing and mordanting fabrics, improving color fastness. Used in silvering mirrors and coating glass or plastics with reflective metallic layers. Applied in analytical chemistry for qualitative detection of mercury and gold in solution. Also found in some industrial cleaning solutions and corrosion inhibitors.